What Israeli. Capital of Israel - Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? Which city is the capital of Israel? Major cities in Israel

The official name is the State of Israel. Located in the southwestern part of Asia. The area is 21,671 km2, the population is 6.03 million people. (2002). The official language is Hebrew. The Embassy of the Russian Federation is located in Tel Aviv (358.8 thousand people, 2001). Public holiday - Independence Day 5 Iyar according to the Jewish calendar (since 1948). The monetary unit is the new Israeli shekel.

Member of the UN (since 1949), associate member of the EU and EFTA.

Landmarks of Israel

Geography of Israel

Located between 34° and 36° east longitude and 29° and 33° north latitude. From the west it is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the southeast it has access to the Red Sea. The length of the coastline is 273 km, the coastline is slightly indented. In the east it borders with Jordan, in the north with Lebanon, in the northeast with Syria, in the southwest with Egypt. Most of the surface of Israel is a high plateau (mainly 600-1000 m) with separate low areas.

The country can be conditionally divided into five topographic zones: the heights of the Galilee, the Esdraelon Valley, the Samaria and Judean hills, the coastal plains, and the Negev desert. In the zone of Galilee are the highest point of Israel - Mount Meron (1208 m) and Lake Tiberias (Sea of ​​Galilee).

There are four geographical regions in the country: three narrow parallel strips from north to south and a wide, mostly waterless zone in the southern half.

The bowels of the country contain reserves of copper, phosphorites, sulfur, manganese, limestone, marble, and minor reserves of natural gas and oil. The water of the Dead Sea contains potassium salts and bromine. The most common soils are gray soils and brown desert-steppe soils, on the coast - subtropical red soils.

The climate of Israel is very diverse, ranging from temperate to tropical, but mostly subtropical Mediterranean. It rains in winter, the remaining 7 months are the dry summer season. The rainiest region is the Upper Galilee, the driest: the southern Negev and the Arava valley. The hottest areas are the Jordan Valley, the coast of Galilee, the Beit Shean Valley, the shores of the Dead Sea and the Arava Valley. The Mediterranean strip is characterized by wet summers and mild winters, in mountainous areas - dry summers and moderately cold winters. In the Ghor depression and in the extreme south of Israel, the climate is hotter and drier.

The average temperature in January is +7°С-12°С, the hottest month of August is +23°С-30°С. The amount of precipitation ranges from 1000 mm per year in the north of the country to 25-30 mm in the extreme south.

The territory of Israel is very poor in surface water. Most streams dry up in summer. The only river that constantly contains water is the Jordan. In Israel, it is part of the Jordan River. Within Israel are lakes Hum, Tiberias and the southwestern part of the Dead Sea.

The flora is extremely diverse. There are 2800 plant species. Most of them (about 1500) are found in the Mediterranean vegetation region: from the northern borders to Gaza in the south and from the Mediterranean to the Jordan Valley. The natural forest has been preserved only in a few places in Galilee, Samaria, the Judean mountains and in the Carmel massif. It includes Jerusalem pine, Tavor and Kallipri oak, wild olive, pistachio tree. Some olive trees are over a thousand years old. In the upper Galilee and Carmel, where there is more rainfall, laurel and oak, strawberry and Judas trees, sycamore and Syrian maple grow. In the Negev, wherever there is groundwater, date palms grow.

The fauna of the country is also very diverse. More than 10,000 species of invertebrates, 80 species of reptiles, 380 species of birds (together with migrants - 600 species) have been registered. Of the songbirds, nightingales, sylvias, kinglets constantly live in the country, of predatory birds - eagles, hawks, falcons. In the mountains there are gazelles, goats, in the forests - wild cats, foxes, in the desert rocks - Nubian ibexes with huge curved horns. Hyenas and jackals are sometimes found in forests and deserts.

Population of Israel

As of July 2002, Israel's population was 6.03 million. This figure includes approx. 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, c. 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, over 5,000 in the Gaza Strip and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem. Compared with 1995, the population increased by 11.6% by 2003. Birth rate - 18.91%, mortality 6.21%, infant mortality 7.55 people. per 1000 newborns; average life expectancy - 78.86 years (men - 76.82, women - 81.01) (2002 estimate).

Sex and age structure: 0-14 years - 27.1% (men 838 thousand; women 799 thousand); 15-64 years old - 63% (men 1906 thousand; women 1890 thousand); 65 years and older - 9.9% (men 257 thousand; women 341 thousand).

Urban population 91.2%, rural - 8.8%. Retirement age: 65 for men and 60 for women. Those who can read and write at the age of 15 and older - 95%, among men - 97%, among women - 93% (1992 estimate). The number of students in all three levels of education in 1997/98 was 1,499,000.

Ethnic composition: Jews make up 80.1% of the population (born in Europe and America - 32.1%, in Israel - 20.8%, in Africa - 14.6%, in Asia - 12.6%), non-Jews ( mostly Arabs) - 19.9%. Recently, there has been a trend towards a decrease in the share of the Jewish population.

Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic (officially used for the Arab minority), English - the most widely spoken foreign language. In recent years, due to the large immigration from the CIS countries, the Russian language has been widely spread.

Judaism is practiced by 80.1%, Islam (mainly Sunni) - 14.6%, Christianity - 2.1%, others - 3.2% of the population (1996 estimate).

History of Israel

The State of Israel was created a little over half a century ago, but the early State of Israel was known from 2000 BC. like Judea. At different times it was under the rule of Babylon and Rome. The Romans renamed Judea to Palestine. For many centuries, this land was the scene of the struggle of the Arabs, the Crusaders, the Ottoman Empire, and finally, the British colonial power. Center of the Three World Religions - Jerusalem - c. 4 thousand years.

Around 2500 BC Semitic tribes of the Amorites fill large areas of Asia. Sargon the Ancient, king of Akkad (2441-2358 BC), founded the first Semitic kingdom. In 2000-1795 BC the Semitic tribes of the Canaanites and the tribe of the Jews of the biblical forefather Abraham come to Palestine and Mesopotamia. In 1717-1580 BC the Hyksos tribes, related to the Canaanites, conquer Palestine and Egypt. According to the Bible, at this time the descendants of Abraham moved to Egypt. In 1480 BC The Egyptians under Pharaoh Thutmose III defeat the Canaanites and Palestine becomes an Egyptian province. OK. 1300 BC - resettlement of the Semitic Arameans in Palestine. In 1300 BC. e. the exodus from Egypt of the Jews, led by the prophet Moses. OK. 1200 BC in Palestine, peoples from the coast of the Aegean Sea, who in the Bible are called the Philistines, settle. Foundation of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gaza. 1200-1025 BC - the period of the reign of judges. 1025-1011 BC - The reign of Saul, the first king of Israel. In 1000-961 BC King David establishes a state with Jerusalem as its capital. 961-22 BC - The reign of Solomon, son of David.

In 950 BC e. construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem is completed. King Solomon concludes trade agreements with the Phoenician king Hiram I and the Queen of Sheba. After the death of Solomon, the state breaks up into Israel (in the north) and Judah (in the south) with the capital in Jerusalem. In 881-71 BC King Omri rules in Israel, and then his son Ahab. The old faith was replaced by the Phoenician cult of Waa-la. In 745-27 BC Assyria ravages Israel and imposes tribute on Judah. 722 BC - the fall of the kingdom of Israel. In 639-09 BC The Chaldeans defeated Assyria and conquered Palestine. 586 BC - the fall of the Kingdom of Judah, the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II, the destruction of the First Temple. 586-38 BC - Babylonian captivity. 516 BC - Completion of the construction of the Second Temple. 332 BC Capture of Jerusalem by Alexander the Great. 332-167 BC - Hellenistic period of the history of Israel. 169-141 BC - Revolt of the Maccabees. 167-63 BC - Hasmonean Dynasty. 63 BC - Capture of Jerusalem by Pompey and the beginning of the Roman period. 39-4 BC - The reign of King Herod I the Great. 4 BC - 40 AD - The reign of Herod Antipas. 26-36 AD - the reign of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate. 33 - the crucifixion of Christ. 66-73 - Jewish war. 132-35 - Bar Kokhba revolt, suppressed by Emperor Hadrian. Jerusalem becomes a Roman colony of Elia Capitolina. 324 - the end of the Roman period.

324-638 - Byzantine period. 614-29 - Persian invasion. 639 - the beginning of the Arab rule. 1099 - the capture of Jerusalem by the crusaders. 1099-1187 - rule of the crusaders. 1187 - Jerusalem is conquered by the Egyptian Sultan Saladin. 1229-50 - the second period of the reign of the crusaders. 1250-1517 - period of Mamluk rule. 1517-1917 - the period of Turkish rule. 1538-42 - construction of walls around Jerusalem. 1882 - the beginning of the Jewish colonization of Palestine, the foundation of the first Jewish settlement in Palestine - Petah Tikva. 1888 - First aliyah, the beginning of immigration to Palestine. 1897 - First Zionist Congress in Basel, Dr. Theodor Herzl announces the creation of a worldwide Zionist movement. 1909 - founding of Tel Aviv. 1917 - Balfour Declaration, the entry of British troops under the command of General Allenby into Jerusalem. 1917-48 - British Mandate period. 1920 - the foundation of the first kibbutz. 1925 - Opening of Jerusalem University.

May 14, 1948 - Proclamation of the State of Israel May 15, 1948 - Invasion of the Arab armies. 1948-49 - War of Independence. 1948-52 - Chaim Weizmann - the first president of the State of Israel 1949 - the admission of Israel to the UN. 1956 - Sinai campaign against Egypt. 1967 - Six Day War. 1968-71 - war of attrition. 1973 - Yom Kippur War. 1978 - Camp David Agreement, signing of a peace treaty with Egypt. 1992 - peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel, the election of Yitzhak Rabin as prime minister. 1993 - signing in Washington of documents on mutual recognition of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. 1994 - signing in Cairo "Agreement on the introduction of Palestinian self-government in Gaza and Jericho."

State structure and political system of Israel

Israel is a parliamentary republic. Israel has developed a set of constitutional provisions, including a number of Basic Laws. Introduced separately over the years, these laws do not constitute an official Constitution, but define the scope of the competence of the executive, legislative and judicial authorities and regulate especially important areas such as the state economy and lands, civil-military relations, the status of Jerusalem. The Basic Laws were passed by the Knesset in the same way as other laws of the country. The constitutional significance of these laws is determined by their essence, and some of them - by the introduction of "legal amendments", which are adopted by a majority vote.

The Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel and a number of laws, including the Law of Return (1950), which reflects the raison d'être of the Jewish state, also have a constitutional character. The Law of Return grants every Jew the right to return to the land of Israel and automatically acquire Israeli citizenship.

Administratively, the country is divided into 6 districts (districts, or mekhozes): Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, North, South, Tel Aviv. The largest cities (thousand people): Jerusalem (670), Tel Aviv-Jaffa (358), Haifa (358), Rishonle Zion (207), Ashdod (181), Beersheba (177).

The supreme body of legislative power is the Knesset (unicameral parliament). In the elections to the Knesset in January 2003, the majority of votes was won by the Likud party - 29.4%. Reu-ven Rivlin became the chairman of the Knesset.

The highest body of executive power is the government. Prime Minister - Ariel Sharon (since March 7, 2001). The head of state is the president, elected by parliament for a term of 5 years. Since July 31, 2000 President Moshe Katsav.

Elections to the Knesset are universal, secret, based on the principle of proportionality. This is a vote for one or another political party, and not for an individual. Before the elections, each party publishes a list of candidates and its political platform. Seats in the Knesset are distributed in proportion to the number of votes received by a particular party, and in accordance with the order of candidates in the electoral list. The President is elected by the Knesset. After each election, the president invites a member of the Knesset, usually the head of the party with the most representation in the Knesset, and instructs him to form a government. In March 2002, a law was passed on direct elections of the head of government, endowed with the right to appoint up to half of the members of the cabinet of ministers not from among the supporters of his party.

Prominent statesmen of Israel Weizmann Ezer (born in Tel Aviv in 1924) is the nephew of the first President of the State of Israel, Chaim Weizmann. He played a prominent role in the conclusion of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Peres (Persky) Shimon (born in 1923 in Poland), in 1959-65 Minister of Defense, in 1984-86 Prime Minister, made a great contribution to the development of the military industry and the creation of a nuclear research center near Dimona (in the Negev) and Nakhal Sorek . One of the initiators and an active participant in the negotiation process with the Palestinians, Nobel Peace Prize winner. Yitzhak Rabin (1922-95) was the minister of defense, simultaneously serving as ministers of health, the interior, and religious affairs. He made a great contribution to establishing peace with the Arabs, overcoming the fierce resistance of extremist circles. He became the first head of the Jewish state to recognize the PLO and in September 1993 signed an agreement with it on Palestinian autonomy. He considered the strengthening and development of US-Israeli relations one of the most important directions of Israel's foreign policy. Ariel Sharon (born 1928 in Palestine), current prime minister of Israel, career military officer. A participant in the most famous armed clashes and all the wars waged by Israel with the Arab states, an uncompromising politician.

The work of the executive and legislative branches of the administrative units is organized as follows. The six administrative districts are under the jurisdiction of district administrations appointed by and responsible to the Minister of the Interior. In I. there are 50 municipalities, 147 local and 53 district councils. Local authorities are in charge of education, culture, health care, social security, road maintenance, etc. Municipal and local councils are elected according to party lists on the basis of proportional representation, and mayors of cities and chairmen of local councils are elected by direct vote. The chairmen of the district councils are elected from among the leaders of the urban and rural communities in the given district.

The political life of the country is characterized by the presence of a large number of parties, reflecting the widest range of beliefs and views. The main political parties are: the Labor Party of Israel ("Labor") - a socialist party since 1968; Likud has been a bloc of the right since 1988; Meretz is a center-left alliance that includes: RAC (Civil Rights Movement), Shinui (Change), MAPAM (United Labor Party); Shas ("Sephardic Torah Guards") - a religious party; "Mafdal" (national-religious party); "Israel ba-Aliya" ("Israel on the rise") unites people from the Russian Federation and the CIS; Yahadut ha-Torah ha-Meuhedet (United Torah Judaism) is a religious party. Most parties represent major ideological or religious beliefs.

Other public organizations and elements of civil society. The General Federation of Workers of Eretz Israel ("Histadrut" - the first word of the name of the organization in Hebrew) was founded in December 1920. Now the largest trade union association in Israel. The number of members exceeds 500 thousand people. The main goal is to protect the rights of workers, as well as the creation of jobs to ensure employment for the Jewish population. The chairman of the organization since 1995 is Amir Peretz.

The Jewish Agency for Israel (“Sokhnut”) was established in 1929. It performs a number of tasks of national importance: organizing the immigration of Jews to Israel and settling new arrivals, creating agricultural settlements and building housing for new Israelis, promoting the development of national education and Jewish youth movement, improvement of cities. In 1999, Salay Meridor was elected chairman of the Sokhnut.

The main goal of the internal policy of the State of Israel is to ensure the well-being of its citizens. Special care is shown in relation to the poor strata of the population, the improvement of repatriates and their involvement in economic life.

Of particular importance for the reproduction process of Israel is its economic interaction with foreign countries, so one of the directions of foreign policy is its active integration into the system of international economic relations and the normalization of the political situation in the country and throughout the Middle East region.

The Israeli armed forces were created simultaneously with the proclamation of the state in 1948. The Israeli army (IDF) is a fairly powerful organization on a national scale. Ground Forces 145 thousand people, Air Force 32 thousand people. Aircraft and helicopter fleet has more than 400 units. military aviation. Naval forces ca. 5 thousand people, 60 warships and boats.

Israel has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in May 1948, interrupted during the Arab-Israeli war in July-October 1967 and re-established with the Russian Federation in October 1991).

Economy of Israel

Israel is a developed industrial and agricultural country. In 2001, Israel's GDP was 466,200 million new shekels, or $110.6 billion; estimated for 2002, GDP $122 billion, GDP per capita $19,200. The share in world GDP in 2000 was 0.43%. Economically active population 2499 thousand people. (2001). Its main part is employed in industry (17.3%), in wholesale and retail trade, car and household appliance repair shops (13.2%), in real estate, rent and business (12.3%), in healthcare and social services (9.9%).

Sectoral structure of GDP (2001): agriculture - 3%, industry - 30%, services - 67%.

Leading corporations: Clal Israel (jointly owned by the trade union financial group of Hapoalim Bank and the private superholding IBD Holding Corporation), Clal (jointly with the largest trade union industrial concern Kur, owns the Israeli cement industry), Israel Corporation ”, Elron Electronic Industries, Bezek International (telecommunications), Hevrat Hashmal (electricity), Batey Azikuk Le Neft (oil refining), Taasiya Avirit (aviation), etc.

Israel produces rock, table salt, bromine, phosphorites, copper ore, oil and natural gas. The manufacturing industry specializes in the development of science-intensive industries: radio electronics, communications, metalworking, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, oil refining, production of chemical products, cut diamonds and

etc. The military-industrial and scientific-technical complexes are highly developed. Since the 1980s Israel's industry has gone world-class in medical electronics, agricultural technology, telecommunications, the chemical industry, computer hardware and software, armaments, and diamond processing. Israel ranks 12th in the list of world arms exporters. The greatest growth is observed in those industries where high technology prevails, the most advanced equipment is used, and investments in scientific research are also attracted.

The role of agriculture in the economy is small; it employs 2.4% of the economically active population (1997). Grain farming is poorly developed, wheat production in 2000 amounted to only 94 thousand tons. Barley, rice and corn are also cultivated. Israeli farms grow mainly fruits, vegetables, various varieties of flowers. During the winter months, Israel exports long stemmed roses, hybrid carnations, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, kiwis, mangoes, avocados, strawberries and citrus fruits to Europe. Dairy farming and poultry farming are also developed (the number of cattle in 1999 was 395,000, sheep, 380,000, chickens, 27.3 million).

The length of railways with a standard gauge (1.4 m) is 647 km, the volume of traffic is 1098 million tkm and 961 million pass-km (2001). The length of roads is 15,965 km, the total number of vehicles is 78.7 thousand (2001). There is a network of pipelines: for pumping oil - 708 km long, oil products - 290 km, natural gas - 89 km. Main ports: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Eilat, Hadera, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Yafo. Deep-water ports in Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat serve international ships. The port of Haifa is one of the largest cargo and passenger ports in the Mediterranean. In 2001, there were 48 ships with a total displacement of 611.4 thousand tons. In 2001, 13,287 thousand tons of cargo were loaded, 29,695 thousand tons were unloaded. There are 54 airports in the country. Airport them. David Ben-Gurion - the main air gate of Israel. In 1998, 3699 thousand passengers were transported by air, and the total cargo turnover amounted to 2241 million tons.

Israel is connected to most international, commercial, financial and university information systems and is connected to the whole world through submarine cables and satellite communication systems. Telephone, telex and facsimile communications, e-mail provide operational communications both within the country and with the outside world. The share of lines using digital technology increased to 87% in ser. 1990s The number of subscribers of multi-channel television - 1.69 million, Internet users - 1.94 million (2001).

The infrastructure of domestic trade is represented mainly by a network of markets (shuks), as well as small and medium-sized shops. From the beginning 1990s in Israeli trade, such trends as the consolidation and growth of the share of private capital were manifested. Widespread multi-storey centers of trade, service and leisure, the so-called. canyons. To con. 1990s Tnuva Shivouk was the largest retailer specializing in wholesale trade, while retail trade was dominated by Corp. Haribua hacahoi.

The service sector has long lagged behind other sectors of the economy in terms of the introduction of the achievements of scientific and technological progress and the growth of labor productivity. Gradually, such traditional types of services as trade, catering, hotel business, personal services, gave way to more modern types of services: insurance, real estate transactions, business services (marketing, leasing, engineering and consulting and other services). The financial services sector, which is directly related to the maintenance of production, is one of the oldest and most developed industries. Tourism is an industry that generates substantial income in foreign currency. In 2000, 2.4 million tourists visited Israel compared to 441 thousand in 1970. They are attracted by the variety of climatic zones, archaeological sites and religious shrines, as well as modern resorts on the Mediterranean, Dead and Red Seas, Lake Kinneret.

The direction, goals and methods of state regulation of economic processes, as well as the very concept of a mixed economy, in the middle. 1990s have undergone significant changes. The state has reduced its regulatory activity, changing its direction - from the policy of current stabilization of the economic situation to a long-term economic growth strategy based on the improvement of the financial sector and the solution of structural economic problems. The policy of strengthening the market mechanism of economic regulation continued.

The credit system of the country is headed by the state central bank - the Bank of Israel. He monopolizes the issuance of banknotes, is a banker and treasurer of the government, provides him with short-term loans, acts as an agent of the government in managing public debt. The volume of reserves of the Bank of Israel in 2001 is 23.4 billion shekels. The leading commercial banks formed the backbone of the financial groups dominating the economy: Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Bank Beinleumi Garishon.

The state budget in 2002 was reduced to a slight deficit: expenditures amounted to 42.4 billion US dollars (188.9 billion new shekels), revenues of 40 billion US dollars (165 billion shekels). The main items of expenditure were: defense (20.7% of the total), employment and social services (16.9%), education (14.8%). The total amount of tax revenues to the budget was estimated at 132.8 billion shekels. The formation in Israel of a special model of the economy, characterized by the presence of a powerful military-industrial complex that requires significant expenditures, a constant deficit in the trade and balance of payments, led to an increase in external debt, the amount of which in 2001 reached 42.8 billion US dollars.

Wages for all sectors of the economy are determined through negotiations between the government, the largest employer, the Histadrut and the Employers' Association, which represents all other entrepreneurs. The minimum monthly wage from April 1, 1999 is 2797.75 shekels, the minimum hourly wage is 15.04 shekels. The average salary is 6689 shekels per month. In 1990-98, the total consumption costs of Israelis amounted to 30-35 billion US dollars. The share in the consumer basket of expenditures on durable goods has increased.

With a relatively small domestic market and limited economic potential, Israel can achieve higher economic growth rates only through increased exports. The value of exports was estimated in 2002 at $2.8 billion. Machinery and equipment, chemicals, cut diamonds, textiles, fruits (mainly citrus fruits) are exported. The main export partners (share in%): the USA (42.8), the Benelux countries (7.4), Hong Kong (6.8), etc. The value of imports is 30.8 billion US dollars. OK. 70% of imports were capital goods and fuel, the rest was raw materials, rough diamonds, consumer goods. Main import partners (share in%): USA (23.5), Benelux countries (10.2), Germany (7.9), Great Britain (6.7), etc.

Science and culture of Israel

Scientific research and technological development is carried out in 7 universities, as well as in dozens of public and private institutions and in hundreds of civil and military enterprises and in some firms. St. 1/2 of the total amount of research is financed by the government and public organizations. Research and development spending in 1994 was St. 2% of GDP (almost at the level of Japan).

Prose and poetry draw motifs, richness of images and expressive means from the Bible, the Talmud and Kabbalah, as well as the cultural heritage of the Jews of the Diaspora and the language of everyday life. The authors of the first works in Hebrew were repatriates and had their roots in the traditions of European Jewry: Joseph Chaim Brenner and Shmuel Yosef Agnon are considered the founders of modern Hebrew prose. From a later time, the names of A.B. Yegoshua, Amos Oza, Yakov Shabtai, David Grossman. The most significant poets: Chaim Nachman Bialik, Shaul Chernihovsky, Abraham Shlensky and others. The most famous artists: Mordechai Ardon, Yakov Steingardt (headed the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Applied Arts), who brought up a new generation of artists. In addition to painters and sculptors, in artistic life

Israel is attended by a large number of craftsmen (masters of ceramics, silver, glass, textiles, etc.).

In terms of the number of attractions per unit area, Israel, perhaps, has no equal. First of all, these are monuments of the origin and early history of the three world religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In the eastern part of Jerusalem, the Western Wall has been preserved - the surviving part of the retaining wall that protected the Second Jerusalem Temple, built in 516 BC. This wall is the shrine of believing Jews all over the world. A place of prayer and a symbol of their hopes. In the northwestern part of the Old City in Jerusalem is the Christian Quarter with the Sorrowful Way (Via Dolorosa), along which the Savior's path ran from the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was captured by the guards, to Golgotha, the place of execution, as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus Christ was buried . The Muslim Quarter is located in the northeastern part of the Old City. Here is a square - the garden of Haram al-Sherif ("Holy Court") with the famous mosques of Omar and Al-Aqsa (in the northern part of the mosque, the place from where the prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven is marked). Many museums, incl. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, which includes the Bezalel Museum of Fine Arts, Jewish Studies and Ethnography, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and others. There are buildings of the 2nd century BC. BC. in Jaffa, the remains of the city of the 9th century. BC. near Sebastia, the "city of the Crusaders" in Akko, the city of childhood and youth of Jesus Christ Nazareth and Bethlehem, where he was born. The most famous synagogues in Jerusalem are Hurva and Rambam. Lots of other attractions.

Israel was formed relatively recently - in 1948. During this time, Israel has become one of the most influential states in the world. Millions of tourists visit this country every year. They are attracted to Israel by holy sites associated with Jesus Christ and the biblical patriarchs, thousands of unique attractions, beach resorts in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and spa resorts in the Dead Sea. Will you go to Israel? Don't forget to bring your video camera!

Geography of Israel

Israel is located in the Middle East. Israel borders Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, and Jordan to the east. In the southwest is the Gaza Strip, the so-called. "unrecognized territory". In the west, Israel is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and in the southeast is the Dead Sea. The total area of ​​this country is 22,072 sq. km, and the total length of the state border is 1,017 km.

In the south of Israel is the Negev desert, whose area is about 12 thousand square meters. km., and in the north - the Golan Heights, as well as mountain ranges. Another large desert in Israel is the Judean. The highest peak in Israel is Mount Hermon, whose height reaches 2,200 m.

In the east of Israel flows the Jordan River, which separates this country from Jordan.

Capital

The capital of Israel is Jerusalem, which is now home to more than 820 thousand people. The first human settlement on the territory of modern Jerusalem, as archaeologists believe, appeared in the late Bronze Age.

Official language

Israel has two official languages ​​- Hebrew and Arabic.

Religion

Over 75% of Israel's population is Jewish. More than 17% of Israelis consider themselves Muslims.

State structure

Israel is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected by the Knesset (Parliament) for a 7-year term.

Legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament - the Knesset, which consists of 120 deputies.

Executive power belongs to the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers.

The main political parties in Israel are Likud, Our Home is Israel, Jewish Home, etc.

Climate and weather

The climate in Israel is subtropical Mediterranean. The average air temperature is +17.4%. The warmest average air temperature in Israel is observed in July and August - +30C, and the lowest - in January and February (+6C). The average rainfall is 493 mm per year.

Average temperature in Jerusalem:

January - +9С
- February - +9C
- March - +12C
- April - +16C
- May - +21C
- June - +23C
- July - +24C
- August - +24C
- September - +23С
- October - +21С
- November - +16C
- December - +11.5C

Sea in Israel

In the west, Israel is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The total coastline of Israel is 273 km. The Dead Sea is located in the east of the country. The average annual temperature of the Mediterranean Sea near Haifa is +22.4C.

Average Mediterranean Sea temperature near Haifa:

January - +17C
- February - +16.2C
- March - +17.1C
- April - +19.2C
- May - +22.2C
- June - +25.5C
- July - +28.3C
- August - +28.8C
- September - +28.5С
- October - +26C
- November - +22C
- December - +18.4C

Rivers and lakes

Despite the fact that there are several deserts in Israel, quite a lot of rivers flow through the territory of this country. Among them are Kishon, Lachish, Besor, Naaman, Sorek, Harod. In the east of Israel, the Jordan River flows, which separates this country from Jordan.

History of Israel

The first human settlements on the territory of modern Israel appeared 9 thousand years ago. Semitic tribes settled in Israel about 5 thousand years ago. Approximately 2,400 years ago, Hebrew tribes already lived on the territory of modern Israel.

In ancient times, Israel was part of Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, the Persian Empire of the Achaemenids, Macedonia, the Ptolemaic and Seleucid states. In the middle of the 1st century BC. Judea fell into vassalage from Ancient Rome, and in 70 AD. it became a Roman province.

The Romans divided Judea into several regions - Samaria, Galilee, Perea, and Judea proper. After some time, the Romans renamed Judea Palestine.

In the Middle Ages, Israel was part of the Byzantine Empire, as well as the Sassanid Empire. For some time, Israel was captured by the Arabs and the Crusaders. By the way, the crusader fortress of Acre, which the Egyptian Mamluks conquered only in 1291, lasted the longest in Israel. From that time until 1517, Israel was ruled by the Egyptian Mamluks.

In 1517, the Turkish Sultan Selim I managed to conquer Israel (Palestine), which became part of the Ottoman Empire.

Only in 1918, Israel (Palestine) gained de facto independence, although it was under the protectorate of Great Britain. Israel's independence was proclaimed in May 1948.

In 1949 Israel became a member of the UN.

culture

Despite the fact that the Israelis did not have their homeland for a long time, they still retained their culture and traditions. "Shabbat" in Israel falls on Saturday, but practically begins on Friday evening. Therefore, in Israel, the day off is not only Saturday, but also half of Friday.

Israelis celebrate a huge number of holidays, most of which, of course, are religious. Among these holidays, the following must be mentioned: the Jewish New Year, the Day of Judgment, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Feast of the Joy of the Torah, the Jewish Passover, the Seventh Day of the Jewish Passover, Independence Day, Pentecost.

Kitchen

Most Israelis were born in various countries. They brought the culinary traditions of these countries to Israel. Therefore, in Israel you can find a very wide range of dishes that owe their origin, for example, to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine and Russia. In addition, Arab culinary traditions are noticeable in Israeli cuisine.

- "Gefilte" - fish balls (most often they are made from carp);
- Kneidlach - dumplings made from matzah, which are added to the soup;
- Fazuelos - traditional Israeli pastries;
- "Khomentashen" - small pies with different fillings (apricots, nuts, apples, cherries);
- "Latkes" - fried pancakes made from flour, eggs and potatoes (very often they are served with garlic and onions);
- "Kreplach" - small dumplings stuffed with mashed potatoes and minced meat;
- "Tsimus" - a traditional Jewish dish, which consists of carrots, beans and chickpeas (prunes and raisins are often added);
- "Ptitim" - products made from wheat flour. Ptitim is either eaten as a side dish or added to soup.

The traditional alcoholic drink in Israel is arak, which is flavored with anise (the strength of this drink can exceed 40 degrees).

Landmarks of Israel

There are a lot of different sights in Israel. Many of them are holy places for Jews, Christians and Muslims. What are the best attractions in Israel? There is no short answer to this question. The top ten attractions in Israel, in our opinion, may include the following:

This fortress was built by the Jewish king Herod the Great. Previously, there were three towers in the fortress of David. However, only the lower part of one of the towers has survived to this day. Now in the fortress of David there is a museum of the history of Jerusalem.

Church of John the Baptist in Jerusalem

The Church of John the Baptist was built in the 8th century. Thus, it is one of the oldest churches in Jerusalem. In the early Middle Ages, the Church of John the Baptist was destroyed, but in the 11th century it was restored.

It is believed that this temple was built on the spot where Jesus Christ was crucified. The initiator of the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem was Julia Elena Augusta, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. The construction of the temple was completed in 335.

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

This temple is built on the spot where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. Over time, several monasteries were built around the Church of the Nativity of Christ.

Montfort castle

The Teutonic Knights were engaged in the construction of Montfort Castle in the first half of the 13th century. In 1271, the Sultan of Egypt, Baibars, captured this castle, and since then no one has restored it.

It is believed that Jesus Christ spoke with his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he was arrested.

Fortress Belvoir

This fortress was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 12th century. True, earlier in its place there were already fortifications of the crusaders. In the mid-1960s, archaeological excavations began in the Belvoir fortress.

Mosque of Omar

This building is sometimes called the al-Aqsa Mosque. It was built at the end of the 12th century on the site of Solomon's temple, where, according to legend, the Ark was once kept.

Tomb of Machpelah in Hebron

The biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Yaakov are buried in this tomb. The tomb of Machpelah is a holy place for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Carmelite Monastery in Haifa

The Carmelite Monastery in Haifa was built in the 12th century on the biblical Mount Carmel. It is on this mountain that Elijah the prophet once lived.

Cities and resorts

The largest Israeli cities are Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jaffa, and, of course, Jerusalem.

Despite the fact that Israel is a small country with a few deserts, it has excellent beach, spa (and even one ski) resorts.

The most popular Israeli beach resorts are Eilat, Netanya, Herzliya, Haifa, and Caesar. On the coast of the Dead Sea are the spa resorts of Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek.

A ski resort was built on Mount Hermon, the total length of slopes of which is 8 kilometers

Souvenirs/Shopping

- a state in Asia, the Middle East, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Official name of Israel:
State of Israel.

Territory of Israel:
The area of ​​the state of Israel is 27,800 km² (the territory of Israel is not officially defined).

Israeli population:
The population of Israel is more than 7 million inhabitants (7172400 people).

Ethnic groups of Israel:
76% are Jews, 20% are Arabs (including Muslim Arabs - Palestinians), Bedouins, Christian Arabs and 4% are Druze, Circassians, Russians and representatives of other national minorities. Among the Jews, 65% were born in Israel (zabarim) and 35% are repatriates (olim). About 1.1 million people come from the former USSR, 500 thousand come from Morocco, 240 thousand come from Iraq, 230 thousand come from Romania, 210 thousand come from Poland, and 105 thousand come from Ethiopia. Ashkenazim make up the majority of the country's population - 2.2 million or 40%, Sephardim - 0.9 million people.

Average life expectancy in Israel:
The average life expectancy in Israel is equal to - 79.02 years (see. Rating of countries in the world by average life expectancy).

Capital of Israel:
Jerusalem.

Major cities in Israel:
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv - Jaffa, Haifa, Rishon Lezion, Beersheba.

State language of Israel:
Israel is a multilingual country. Hebrew and Arabic are both state languages, in addition, English, Russian and Amharic (Ethiopian) languages ​​are widespread, which have been given the status of "officially recognized" languages.

Religion in Israel:
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, at the end of 2004, 76.2% of Israelis were Jews, 16.1% Muslims, 2.1% Christians, 1.6% Druze and the remaining 3.9% were not assigned to any denomination.

Geographical position of Israel:
Israel is located in southwest Asia, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea (coastline - 230 km). It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt in the southwest. In the south is the Red Sea (coastline - 12 km). The length of Israel from north to south is 470 km, from east to west at its widest point is 135 km. The total length of Israel's borders is 1125 km. The area of ​​Israel within the borders and ceasefire lines, including the territory of the Palestinian autonomy, is 27.8 thousand km², of which 6.22 thousand km² are in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, occupied by Israel during the 1967 war.

The relief of Israel is quite diverse - in the west, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the Coastal Plain stretches, in the northeast - the Golan Heights, in the east - the mountain ranges of Galilee and Samaria, as well as the depressions of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. The southern part of the country is occupied by the Negev desert and the Arava valley. The highest point of Israel is Mount Hermon (2224 m) in the north, the lowest is the Dead Sea (408 m below sea level - the lowest land point on Earth). The Negev Plateau occupies about half of Israel's territory and stretches from the Judean Desert (between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea) in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south.

Rivers of Israel:
Israel's largest river, the Jordan, flows from north to south through Lake Tiberias (Lake Kinneret) and flows into the Dead Sea. Other rivers are short and usually dry up in summer. The exceptions are the rivers Kishon, 13 km long, and Yarkon, 26 km long, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea near Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Administrative-territorial division of Israel:
Geographically, Israel is divided into 6 districts.

State structure of Israel:
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic. The creation of the state was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, in accordance with the plan for the division of Palestine adopted by the United Nations.

The head of state of Israel is the president, who is elected by the Knesset for a five-year term by secret ballot.
The first president of Israel was the chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Professor Chaim Weizmann. According to the current legislation, the president does not have real powers of authority, he serves as one of the symbols of the state and performs representative functions.

Israel's supreme legislative body, the Knesset, is a unicameral parliament that consists of 120 deputies. The first composition of the Knesset began its work after the general elections in January 1949.

Israel's central executive body is the government, headed by a prime minister. The first prime minister of Israel was the head of the Jewish Agency, David Ben-Gurion.

Israel's highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court (High Court of Justice). It is the final authority for civil and criminal cases, and also acts as a constitutional court, deciding on the conformity of individual legislative acts with fundamental laws.

The Knesset, the residence of the President, the office of the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court, as well as most ministries and government offices are located in Jerusalem.

The executive power in the cities of Israel is exercised by mayors elected by direct vote. Municipal councils are directly elected by party lists and participate in the leadership and control of the executive branch. In settlements and villages there are local councils, regional councils manage groups of small settlements.

In Israel, religion is not separated from the state, and there are local religious councils, made up of appointees from the local government and the central rabbinate, who are engaged in providing civil status and religious services to the population.

Useful data for tourists about Israel, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Israel, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Israel.

Geography of Israel

Israel is a state in the Middle East, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders on Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt.

There are mountains in Israel - on the border with Lebanon and Syria (the height of the Hermon mountain range, or Ash-Sheikh, 2224 m); large lakes: the largest and unique salt lake - the Dead Sea, located in the deepest terrestrial depression on the planet Ghor with an absolute mark of 395 m below sea level; fresh lake Kinneret. On the territory of Israel is the vast Negev desert and one of the largest rivers in the Middle East - the Jordan.

State

State structure

The form of government is a republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. Parliament is a unicameral Knesset.

Language

Official language: Hebrew, Arabic

Also used: English, French, Yiddish, Russian, Spanish, German.

Religion

Judaism - 80.1%, Islam - 14.6%, Christianity - 3.2%, others.

Currency

International name: ILS

1 shekel = 100 agorot. In circulation are coins in denominations of 5, 10, 50 agorot, 1, 5, 10 shekels. Banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100 and 200 shekels.

History of Israel

As a historical region, Palestine includes the territory of modern Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Biblical events unfolded on this ancient land. In the third millennium BC, the tribes of the Canaanites settled here. In the 12th century BC, the coast of Palestine was conquered by the Philistines, in the interior in the 11th century BC, the Hebrew tribes founded the Israel-Judean kingdom, which broke up around 928 BC into two: Israel (existed until 722 BC) and Jewish (existed until 586 BC). Subsequently, Palestine was part of the states of the Achaemenids (after 539 BC), the Ptolemies and the Seleucids (in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC), Rome (from 63 BC), then Byzantium.

In the first century AD, Palestine became the cradle of Christianity. During the entire Roman-Byzantine period, there was a process of Christianization of the Palestinian population. At the same time, a significant number of Jews left Palestine and settled in various states of Europe and Asia. In 641, Palestine was conquered by the Arabs, who began to vigorously convert the local population to Islam. In the 11th century, Western European crusaders tried to restore Christian power in Palestine, but the Egyptian sultans in the 12th century destroyed the crusader states in the Middle East. Since 1516, Palestine became part of the Ottoman Empire.

By the middle of the 19th century, there was practically no Jewish population left on these lands, but since the 1880s, the Zionists began a movement for the return of Jews to their historical homeland. In 1917, during the First World War, British troops occupied the territory of Palestine and Great Britain ruled this area until 1947. In 1918, half a million Muslim Arabs, 100,000 Christian Arabs, and 60,000 Jewish settlers from Europe lived in Palestine. The process of emigration of Jews to Palestine was growing all the time, and after the end of the Second World War, the Jewish community demanded the creation of an independent state of Israel.

The modern State of Israel was formed on May 14, 1948, after which it was in a state of almost permanent war with neighboring Arab states and the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is fighting for the creation of an autonomous Palestinian state. In 1993, a peace agreement was signed between the Israeli government and the leadership of the PLO, which provides for the creation of a Palestinian autonomy in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River.

In January 1996, the first elections were held in the territory of the Palestinian autonomy. This gave Israel the opportunity to establish diplomatic relations with many Arab countries, and the Gulf countries partially lifted the economic embargo on trade with Israel. Israel is a member of the UN and GATT.

As a historical region, Palestine includes the territory of modern Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Biblical events unfolded on this ancient land. In the third millennium BC, the tribes of the Canaanites settled here. In the 12th century BC, the coast of Palestine was conquered by the Philistines, in the interior in the 11th century BC, the Hebrew tribes founded the Israel-Judean kingdom, which broke up around 928 BC into two: Israel (existed until 722 BC) and Jewish (existed until 586 BC). Subsequently, Palestine was part of the states of the Achaemenids (after 539 BC), the Ptolemies and the Seleucids (in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC), Rome (from 63 BC), then Byzantium ....

Popular Attractions

Tourism in Israel

Where to stay

Israel is represented by a modern service for every taste and a developed tourist infrastructure. The choice of a hotel depends on the purpose of visiting the country - this is a sightseeing, pilgrimage tour of the country's historical sights or a recreational, entertaining vacation on the coast. In the first case, the choice falls on urban-type hotels near the main attractions. There are many hotels here, from cheap but well-equipped to stunning apartments, where everything is up to the highest standards. These are elegant rooms equipped with the latest technology with views of the sights, swimming pools, excellent spa and fitness clubs, gourmet restaurants and bars, well-equipped conference centers. In the second case, it is better to choose from hotels on the coast, from the comfortable rooms of which a wonderful view of the sea opens up. Some hotels of this type have their own equipped beaches.

In the hotel base of Israel there is no star classification, but there is a division into certain classes according to its own system: 3 * - Tourist Class, 4 * - First Class, 5 * - Deluxe. The classification is established by tour operators, taking into account generally accepted standards for the convenience of tourists. The standard set of amenities includes: air conditioning, telephone, TV, toilet and shower. A mini-bar, a safe and a hair dryer are available in the rooms of 4* and 5* hotels. All hotels in Israel are world class and meet international standards.

In addition to the above accommodation options, apartment-type hotels, hostels and campsites also offer their services, which will provide comfortable accommodation and meals.

Popular hotels

Tours and attractions in Israel

Israel is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This ancient country is the cradle of three world religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam. A mixture of cultures of different nations and an abundance of unique sights, a wonderful climate and modern seaside resorts make your stay in Israel rich and unforgettable.

The official capital of Israel, Jerusalem, is one of the oldest cities in the world. You can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the city from a special observation deck on the Mount of Olives. The heart of Jerusalem, of course, is the Old City surrounded by a fortified wall - the center of almost all important historical and holy places. There are 11 gates leading to the Old City, seven of them are active. Built in different historical eras, they all have an important historical significance. From the Lion's Gate leads the so-called Way of the Cross or the Road of Sorrow, (Via Dolorosa Street), along which Jesus walked to Calvary, to the place of his crucifixion. In the Old City there is the famous Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Omar (the third most important shrine of Islam after Mecca and Medina), the Dome of the Rock, the Cathedral of St. James - the main Armenian shrine of Jerusalem, the Museum history of Jerusalem (Citadel of David). Among the important sights of the city, it is also worth highlighting the Yad Vashem Memorial Complex, the Monastery of the Assumption of Our Lady on Mount Zion, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the Tower of David, the Museum of Bible Lands, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Armenian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Woli and the Archaeological Museum Rockefeller. In the suburbs of Jerusalem are the Gornensky Monastery and the Church of the Visitation (the Church of the Meeting of the Virgin Mary and St. Elizabeth).

To the south of Jerusalem lies the legendary Bethlehem, where, according to legend, Jesus was born. King David was also born and anointed king in Bethlehem. The main attractions of the ancient city are such holy places as the Cave of the Nativity and the Basilica of the Nativity of Christ, as well as the nearby Church of St. Helena and the caves of the Bethlehem Babies and St. Jerome, the Armenian Monastery, the Orthodox Greek Monastery and the Milk Cave. At the entrance to Bethlehem, there is another important shrine - the tomb of Rachel, revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In the vicinity of Bethlehem are the Herodium fortress, Solomon's Ponds, the monastery of Elijah the Prophet, the monastery of St. Theodosius the Great, the Lavra of St.

The city of Nazareth, where Jesus Christ grew up, is also considered sacred. The most important shrines of these places are the Grotto of the Annunciation, the Catholic Church of the Annunciation (the largest in the Middle East), the Church of the Archangel Gabriel and the Holy Spring, the Sepphoris National Park, Mount Tabor, the village of Nain and Kfar Kana, in which Jesus performed his first miracle (turning water into wine).

Tiberias on the shores of Lake Kinneret (Lake of Tiberias or the Sea of ​​Galilee) is also among the interesting cities to visit. The famous shrines of Tiberias include the Mount of Beatitudes and the Temple of the Twelve Apostles, the tombs of Rambam, Rabbi Johanan Ben-Zakay and Rabbi Akiva, the ruins of the synagogue, which date back to the 7th century, Yardenit (a traditional place of baptism in the waters of the sacred river), Capernaum, where Jesus lived and preached , and the ruins of the ancient Jewish city of Hamat Tiberias.

On the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea is the economic and cultural center of Israel - Tel Aviv. This young and very modern city was founded at the beginning of the 20th century as a suburb of Jaffa (one of the oldest cities in the world). Today, Ancient Jaffa, which is associated with many legends and traditions, is considered part of Tel Aviv and is an important historical landmark. The huge metropolis has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. There are many hotels to choose from, excellent restaurants, bars, discos, nightclubs, as well as museums, theaters, concert halls, galleries and much more. Among the interesting places of the city, the most popular are the Migdal Opera (Opera Tower), the Palace of Independence, Seaside Boulevard, the Museum of Art, the Museum of the Land of Israel (Eretz Israel), the Museum of Diamonds, the Safari Zoo, the Azrieli Center, the Park " Mini Israel” and Yarkon Park. Tel Aviv is also a popular seaside resort.

The picturesque natural attraction of Israel - the Dead Sea - is located on the border with Jordan and, in fact, is a lake. This natural reservoir is the lowest piece of land on Earth (417 meters below sea level) and the saltiest lake in the world. The unique composition of salts and sea minerals make the waters and mud of the Dead Sea surprisingly curative for various diseases (skin, respiratory, muscle, neurological, gynecological, etc.). On the western coast of the Dead Sea is the Ein Gedi National Reserve, and on the northwestern shore - the Historical and Archaeological Reserve of Qumran.

Among the popular seaside resorts, it is worth highlighting the fashionable Eilat - the "pearl" of the Red Sea and a resort of international level. In ancient times it was an important trading port. Timna Historical and Archaeological Reserve is located 25 km from Eilat. The large resort of the Mediterranean coast is also popular - Netanya, which is famous for its excellent beaches, good hotels and an abundance of museums. This city is also one of the largest centers of the country's diamond industry. To the south of Netanya is the very expensive resort of Herzliya. The small resort town of Ashkelon is also interesting. It is famous for its many ancient monuments.

Israeli cuisine

The basis of the life of the ancient Jews was agriculture. Therefore, naturally, in their diet there was a lot of food prepared from various cereals, vegetables, and fruits. Invariably, any meal was served with a piece of bread, which was baked not only from wheat flour, but also from barley, millet, pea, lentil. Regardless of the type of flour, the dough for baking was kneaded with yeast, that is, it was made sour, and only on the Jewish Passover (Pesach) were ordinary pastries replaced by matzah - thin, brittle, rather large crackers made from thin dough.

They ate the meat of cows, sheep, goats. Refined food was considered dishes from the meat of chickens, turkeys, geese, pigeons, ducks, pheasants, guinea fowls.
In ancient times, Jews were forbidden to eat stuffed pike, fried carp, carp, herring fish and sturgeon in any form. It was believed that the listed fish species did not have a pronounced spine or scales, which excluded their suitability for food.

Not everyone used fresh milk in its pure form. But cereals and soups with whole diluted milk were very common. Cow, goat and sheep milk was used to make butter, cheese, and various cheeses.

Of course, bee honey was considered a valuable food product.

The Jews have a number of laws that determine the rules for eating people who profess Judaism - kashrut. According to kashrut, which is at least three thousand years old, eating just for the sake of eating is reprehensible. According to the Torah - the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch - meat and fish food is allowed only after the Flood.

According to kashrut, you should wash your hands thoroughly before each meal. This action was regarded then and remains now as important as the washing of hands before prayer in the temple.

For cooking in Jewish cuisine, olive and butter oils are used; chicken, goose, less often beef fats. Goose fat is no longer used as often as before, it can be replaced with butter, vegetable oil or margarine.

For cold appetizers and fish salads, herring is often taken as more tender than others, tasty fish with dietary value.

Rare food is not seasoned according to the rules of Jewish cuisine with spices. Most of these are black and white pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, saffron, mint, dill, herbs and parsley root, celery, garlic, horseradish, various types of onions. As a rule, nuts, fresh and salted olives are used.

The basis of the life of the ancient Jews was agriculture. Therefore, naturally, in their diet there was a lot of food prepared from various cereals, vegetables, and fruits. Invariably, any meal was served with a piece of bread, which was baked not only from wheat flour, but also from barley, millet, pea, lentil. Regardless of the type of flour, the dough for baking was kneaded with yeast, that is, it was made sour, and only on the Jewish Passover (Pesach) were ordinary pastries replaced by matzah - thin, brittle, rather large crackers made from thin dough ....

Tips

If a service charge is not included in a restaurant bill, it is customary to tip the waiter about 10%, or less if the service was not particularly good. Messengers in the hotel are given 5-10 shekels. Guides are given 4-5 dollars per person for one day, bus drivers - half as much.

Visa

Office Hours

Most banks are open from Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 to 12:00 and on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00. On the eve of major Jewish holidays, banks are open from 8:30 to 12:00.

Shops are usually open from 9 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and on Friday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Purchases

VAT at 17% is charged on all purchases and transactions, with the exception of hotel bills and car rental bills paid in foreign currencies (cash, traveller's checks and foreign credit cards).

You may be eligible for a refund of this tax on foreign currency purchases over $50 (on a single check). Shops that provide a VAT refund service are labeled "taxvat" and offer a 5% discount. Keep all receipts and completed forms and get your refund at the airport. You must be prepared to show purchases for which you want to receive a refund.

Souvenirs

Ceramics, copperware, religious paraphernalia, handicrafts are Israeli features. It is profitable to buy diamonds and other precious stones set in gold and silver here.

Safety

When entering a large shopping center or other crowded places, you may be asked to open your bag, which may seem impolite. They only check for suspicious items.